Pointless survey - for those of you who have laboured more than once

[EmmaBemma]

Hello! I'm 39 weeks pregnant today and feel nowhere near ready to pop - well, mentally I'm ready, but physically I don't feel markedly different from how I felt at 34 or 36 weeks. I remember thinking much the same in my last pregnancy, which ended in a (straightforward) induction at 41+3. This time I'd quite like to avoid an induction if possible but I don't think I'll want to hold out beyond 42 weeks.

So! For the sake of bored curiosity only, I was hoping you could tell me when you went into labour in your first and subsequent pregnancies. I have had a few "twinges" this time which I didn't last time - more frequent and more intense braxton hicks, and a couple of days of on/off period-type pain last week, but I doubt that means anything, right?

DS - 40+0....lots of braxton hicks in weeks prior. manageable twinges started midday the day before, got to hospital early evening thinking birth was close (but was only 1cm) straightforward but longish labour.

DD - 40+2....no braxton kicks at all. woke up in morning with twinges (period type pain, not back pain as with DS) and a show, advised to stay at home as long as possible by midwife.....so i did.....got to hospital and was 9cm, had a few puffs on gas and air for 1.5hrs, then waters broke and 2 mins later DD arrived.

I know it is not the same for all, but my advice for subsequent labours, is don't hang around at home long if you want a hospital/birth centre delivery!

Sorry but this wont make you feel any better.

DD1 42+6 induced. weight 7.4
DS1 42 induced again. weight 6.6
DS2 40 +10 weight 9.4 induced yet again a bit earlier than the others because of high blood pressure.

My mum had long pregnancy's too.

DD1 - 42 weeks, induced 18 hour labour, weight 9'5
DD2 - 41 weeks, induced 36 hours labour, weight 8'13

Don't think either of them would ever have started on their own, maybe they were not ready but I certainly was.

Thanks so much for your replies, everyone! A mixed bag but on balance, it looks like I should ready myself to go the full distance again. A bit of a heart-sinking prospect but at least second labours are (mostly) looking quicker!

Thanks again.

DC1 39+6
DC2 41

I was telling everyone during pregancy with DC2 that I would pop early because 2nds always come earlier than 1st. Wrong!

Hi there

DC1 - 40+6 4.5 hour labour
DC2 - 37+2 3hr labour

Be prepared....

ds1 induced at 42 +5
ds2 arrived on his edd, I'd had no signs that anything was imminent until my waters went that morning!

Don't give up hope!

Child 1 = 40+8
Child 2 = 40+11

Sweep less than 24 hours earlier for both.

First was 10 days late, next three all bang on time

first: 36 weeks
second: 40+2

first born on due date
next two induced - both 40 + 12

DC1 37+4 induced 2 days after SROM, 10 hours recorded labour
DC2 40+0 born 6 hours after very first BH niggles

DC1 33 Wks

DC2 39 WKS

DC3 38 WKS

40+4
40+6

DC1 was 48ish hrs, DC2 24

DS1 41+5 (induced after 41+3 - took 3 pessaries)
DD 40+5
DS2 41

DS1 40+15
DS2 - 40 exactly

DD 39+6

DD1 - induced at 40+5 due to small placental bleed - 7 hours
DD2 - 39+6 1hr10mins spontaneous. The day before she was born I had no idea, I was in being monitored the before she was born and was sent home at 12.30am with no signs of labour, DD2 was born at 3am.

Ds 38=4
DD 40=10

I was having cramps for about two weeks with dd I think it is common for second pg.

Ds1 induced at 38 weeks, 5 hour labour
ds2 born at 40+4, no niggles or BHs at all just full on labour, 1 hour labour (luckily was in hospital for a check-up at the time).

DD1- induced at 40+12- 27 hour labour

DD2- 4 days early - 6 hour labour

DC1 (DD) - sweep at 40 weeks, show day later, DD born roughly 14 hours from first contraction, after 90 mins of strong pushing, and DD was distressed. 2nd degree tear.

DC2 (DS1) - sweep at 40 weeks, contractions started 2 days later, DS1 born roughly 10 hours first contraction, after 20 minutes of gentle pushing. Nice gentle water birth. No tears but internal grazes.

DC3 (DS2) - born roughly 12 hours from first contraction after 90 seconds of involuntary pushing, at 39 weeks. No time to fill pool as midwife didn't believe I was in labour until he was coming out. No brusing or swelling down there, but 1st degree tear.